Specimen Processor

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO medical plan

Paid Time Off

Retirement Programs (TRS)

Paid Parental Leave

Wellness programs

Tuition Reimbursement

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX seeks a dedicated Specimen Processor to handle laboratory samples, verify information, and ensure accurate routing to the appropriate department. The role requires meticulous attention to specimen labeling and data entry into the LIS.

Responsibilities include maintaining specimen integrity, following safety protocols, and supporting daily lab operations in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Previous specimen processing experience preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced clinical laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

• Process laboratory samples and verify accuracy of specimen information.
• Enter specimen information into the LIS and route to the correct department.
• Maintain specimen integrity and confidentiality according to protocol.

Skills

Specimen processing

Laboratory procedures

Attention to detail

Quality control

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Epic Beaker

Job description

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world‑renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas‑Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on‑site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

SHIFT

8:00 pm to 4:30 am Monday through Friday with rotating clinical areas, rotating weekends (Saturday & Sunday in Clements Hospital) Holidays and on call.

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for processing laboratory samples for testing or research. This includes checking specimen's information for accuracy, entering specimen information in to the Laboratory Information system (LIS), as necessary, and ensuring the right department receives the specimen and information.

BENEFITS

UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full‑time employee‑only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Required

• Education

  High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred

• Experience

  Previous Specimen Processing experience

JOB DUTIES

• Job knowledge. Labels and processes patient specimens accurately and distributes to appropriate areas of laboratory. Processes laboratory samples according to procedure. Centrifuges and prepares aliquots when needed. Maintains specimen requirements at all times according to protocol. Dispatches specimens to the main laboratory or other designated testing facility as per established procedure with fewer than 2 mislabeled specimen
• Quality Orientation: Prints appropriate labels for specimen labeling. Ensures all tests on requisitions are accounted for in the ordering system. If necessary, contacts physician's office to obtain order clarification/verification prior to collecting specimens. Tracks every specimen to ensure specimen integrity, accounting particularly for those samples which must be transported to other locations with fewer than 3 occasions of errors involving maintaining specimen batches (opening, reconciling and closing). Prioritizes and organizes activities to achieve optimal and efficient patient care during daily operations. Maintains positive patient identification for all specimens collected, using defined protocols. Maintains patient confidentiality throughout all activities and communications.
• Ensures specimens are processed according to specimen requirements and that all specimen requirements are met. Ensures specimen requirements are maintained during transportation and storage as per protocol with fewer than two instances of processing, aliquotting and archiving errors. Centrifuges and prepares aliquots when needed. Dispatches specimens to the main laboratory or other designated testing facility as per established procedure with fewer than two mislabeled specimens. Document all correct and accurate information in regard to the specimens collected to ensure best is being met daily and may receive specimen using Epic Beaker. May have to enter orders or look up orders in EPIC Beaker. May be required to contact the Core Laboratory for retrieval of specimens (e.g. for add‑on test). Proficient in maintaining and utilizing the automation track in loading and unloading samples, and troubleshooting errors.
• Monitors pneumatic tube system (if applicable) and ensures when tubes arrive, that specimens and/or reports are removed. Participates in process improvement activities. Logs specimen in archives for efficient retrieval. Maintains awareness of turn around expectations and organizes work duties to ensure expectations are met.
• Ensures all tests are accounted for in the ordering system. If necessary, contacts physician's office or nurse to obtain order clarification/verification prior to collecting specimens. Tracks every specimen to ensure specimen integrity, accounting particularly for those samples which must be transported to other locations with fewer than three occasions of errors involving maintaining specimen batches (opening, reconciling and closing).
• Supplies: Keeps area stocked with essential supplies. Keeps work area decontaminated with proper cleaning solutions and disposes of waste and trash in appropriate containers. Keeps work area well organized and free from clutter. Handles add‑on requests according to established procedures.
• Adheres to Patient Safety Goals as defined by UTSW, TJC, CAP, and other regulatory/accreditation agencies.
• Utilizes the Risk Management and Process Improvement tools (Event Reports) in an accurate and timely way to identify issues concerning Quality Improvement and assists coworkers in this process as needed. Follows chain of command when reporting unsafe practices observed.
• Actively participates in the review of the monthly schedule and work assignments in conjunction with the Supervisor/Coordinator. Know daily tasks and be accountable for the daily workflow, including the status of the phlebotomy tracker, work flow assignments, and priority test requests. Also, acts as a liaison/problem solver for phlebotomy issues.
• Attendance Reports for work on the assigned days at the assigned times. Follows procedures regarding requesting and using leave in manner that consistently supports effective job performance.
• Provides training to other Specimen Processors as needed. Monitors pending lists, including but not limited to the unreceived specimen list. Performs other duties as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.